Tape Dispenser System

ABSTRACT

A tape dispenser including a body with having several functional elements formed thereon, including a cutting edge, an anvil, a guide, finger grips, and a thumb rest. The body also defines an opening for receiving a tape roll therein. The opening may be formed between an outer wall and an inner wall. The dispenser may also include a resilient element that causes the outer wall to contact the tape periphery, even as the tape roll is being depleted. The resilient element also allows for relatively easy loading and unloading of the tape roll without the need to remove or dissemble any parts of the system. A brake also allows the user to stop dispensing tape by pressing the outer wall against the outer periphery of the tape roll.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/735,000, filed Dec. 8, 2012. The disclosure of the above applicationis incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to dispensers, and moreparticularly, to a tape dispenser.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventional tape dispensers typically include sharp, linearly arrangedcutting edges. Linearly arranged cutting edges can be difficult to useas they require that the tape be pulled at an angle to the cutting edge.A difficulty amplified when the cutting edge is not in an optimumposition because the gap between the tape and the cutting edgeincreases, e.g., as the tape roll is depleted.

Conventional tape dispensers may also include and/or use a plurality ofparts to secure the tape roll therein, cut the tape, and make the end ofthe tape readily available for further dispensing. This complexity addsunnecessarily to the cost of manufacture and assembly of these devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One example of the present invention is a tape dispenser that providesan efficient and cost effective system and method of using the same fordispensing and cutting tape with a relatively straight pull by the user.

One embodiment of the tape dispenser according to the present inventionincludes a body structure having a cutting edge and an opening forreceiving a tape roll therein. The opening formed between an outer walland an inner wall. A portion or component of the outer wall urged inwardsuch that it is adjacent to the tape periphery, even as the tape roll isbeing depleted. The body, including the outer wall and the inner wallmay be formed as a single unitary structure; that is, the system may beformed as an integral structure consisting of only one part orcomponent.

The tape dispenser may include one or more finger grips, e.g., formed ona portion of the inner wall, and a recessed thumb positioner, e.g.,formed on a portion of the outer wall, for ergonomic and comfortablehandling by the user.

The tape dispenser may also include a feature to actuate a braking forceby the user by applying a squeezing action. This braking action may slowor stop the rotation of the tape roll for providing desired cut tapelength. The tape dispenser may also include a feature that inhibits taperoll rotation, thus keeping the end of the tape in location or positionfor future use.

The tape dispenser may also provide for easy location of the end of thetape. The tape dispenser allowing the tape to “stand up” (e.g., the freeend of the tape does not adhere to any structure or surface of thesystem) after being cut or allowing it to “lie down” and stick to ananvil for future use. The anvil feature may be configured so as to beshorter in length than the width of the tape in order to facilitate easyaccess to the side of the end of the tape by the user.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention, willbecome readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the followingdetailed description of the preferred embodiment when considered in thelight of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a tape dispenser system;

FIG. 2 a is a detail view of an anvil portion of the tape dispensersystem depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 b is a front view of the anvil portion of the tape dispensersystem depicted in FIG. 2 a;

FIG. 3 is a detail view of a cutting edge of the tape dispenser systemdepicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 a is a side view of a spring feature and brake system of the tapedispenser system depicted in FIG. 1, wherein a full tape roll is showndeployed in the tape dispenser system; and

FIG. 4 b is a side view of the spring feature and brake system of thetape dispenser system depicted in FIG. 4 a, wherein the tape roll issubstantially depleted.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout thevarious figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description and appended drawings describe andillustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The description anddrawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to make and use theinvention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention inany manner.

It should be noted that the terms “outer,” “inner,” “back,” “lower,”“upper” and/or “underside,” as used herein, are meant for referenceand/or orientation purposes and are not meant to be limiting in scope.

Referring to the Figures generally, and specifically to FIGS. 1, 4 a and4 b, there is illustrated a tape dispenser, shown generally at 10. Thedispenser 10 includes a substantially circular or semi-circular body 12that is preferably formed as a unitary member; i.e., it consists of asingle, integrally formed component. The body 12 may be formed of anynumber of conventional materials; however, plastic materials may bepreferred. By way of a non-limiting example, the body 12 may be easilyand inexpensively formed in an injection molding process.

Still referring to FIGS. 1, 4 a and 4 b, the body 12 is shown as havinga generally cylindrical inner wall 16 sized to correspond to the innerdiameter of a conventional tape roll. Accordingly, the inner wall 16supports a conventional tape roll 36 placed thereon for rotation aboutthe inner wall 16 as tape 34 is pulled or drawn from the tape roll 36.The body 12 further includes a substantially arcuate or semi-circularouter wall 14 spaced from the inner wall 16 so as to define a cavity 18formed therebetween. A back or side wall 20 extends between outer wall14 and the inner wall 16 and connects at least a portion of the outerwall 14 to the inner wall 16. As only the lower portion 14 a of theouter wall 14 is joined to the inner wall 16 (e.g., via the back or sidewall 20), the upper portion 14 b of the outer wall 14 defines a free end14 c operable to move in a direction outwardly—away from orinwardly—closer to the inner wall 16. Accordingly, the free end 14 c ismovable between a first position, spaced from the inner wall 16 and asecond position, located adjacent or near the inner wall 16. Asillustrated in FIG. 4 b, because the upper portion 14 b of the outerwall 14 pivots or moves about a location, seen generally at 50, near thejunction of the outer wall 14 and the back or side wall 20 the adjacentor in some cases the contact point between the outer wall 14 and thetape roll 36 changes. Thus the free end 14 c typically will not contactthe tape roll 36. Instead the point most adjacent or in some cases thecontact point will move rearwardly, that is from a position near thefree end 14 c towards the lower portion 14 a as the tape role isdepleted. However, as set forth below, when pressure is applied to thefree end 14 c, typically through the thumb rest 42, a part of the upperportion 14 b of the outer wall 14 will contact the tape roll 36. In afurther example the free end 14 c is inwardly biased towards the innerwall 16.

In one example of the present invention, the upper portion 14 b of theouter wall 14 is an inwardly biased resilient member. As illustrated inFIG. 1 the upper portion 14 b is formed such that the under or contactsurface is initially biased inwardly towards the outer peripheral edgeof the inner wall 16. In one embodiment, during manufacture the upperportion 14 b of the outer wall 14 is molded or formed in a positionwherein it extends inwardly past an outer peripheral edge of the taperoll 36. In this manner when a tape roll 36 is placed in the cavity 18the upper portion 14 b of the outer wall 14 exerts an inward pressure orforce on the tape roll 36. As set forth below, providing an inwardlybiased or preloaded force helps to hold the tape roll 36 in positionthereby assisting in maintaining the position of the end 32 of the tape36. Other mechanisms such as a spring hinge may also be used to enablethe free end 14 c to generate and inwardly biased force on the tape rule36. Because the back wall 20 interconnects the lower portion 14 a of theouter wall 14 to the inner wall 16 (and provides structural rigiditythereto), there is significantly less flexion between the lower portion14 a of the outer wall 14 and the inner wall 16.

Since the upper portion 14 b in the above example is formed of aresilient material, the upper portion 14 b functions as a preloadedspring arm, allowing at least partial flexion of the outer wall 14relative to the inner wall 16, especially in the area of the free end 14c and areas proximate thereto. Furthermore, the resiliency of the outerwall 14, including the upper portion 14 b, inwardly bias the upperportion 14 b of the outer wall 14 towards the inner wall 16, such thatthe outer wall 14 maintains, or attempts to maintain, contact with theouter periphery of the tape roll, even as the tape is withdrawn and thetape roll is depleted. Further, depending on the desired inwardlybiasing force, the initial location; i.e., before the tape roll 36 isplaced in the cavity 18, of the upper portion 14 b may vary. Forexample, given that upper portion 14 b of the outer wall 14 b is formedof a resilient material, when the upper portion 14 b is initially placedor molded in position next to the inner wall 16 it requires a greaterforce to pull or deflect the upper portion 14 b and correspondingly thefree end 14 c outward to a point past the outer periphery of the taperoll 36. Whereby the force generated on the tape roll 36, as the upperportion 14 b attempts to “spring back” to its original position, willalso be greater. Accordingly, with the present example, there is anecessary balancing of the force applied recognizing that as the tape 34is withdrawn and the tape roll 36 is depleted the force will graduallyreduce.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an inwardlyextending protuberance may be formed or provided on an underside surface14 d of the outer wall 14. In this manner, the cavity 18 may include afirst portion or area having a first distance between the outer wall 14and the inner wall 16 and a second portion or area having a seconddistance formed between the protuberance and the inner wall 16. By wayof a non-limiting example, the second distance may be less than thefirst distance. Additionally, or alternatively, the dispenser 10 can beinitially formed (e.g., via injection molding) to include a taper in thevolume of the cavity 18 as it extends from the lower portion 14 atowards the free end 14 c of the outer wall 14.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4 b, and in accordance with another aspect of thepresent invention, the body 12 may include an area defining a cuttingedge 24 formed on a surface thereof. By way of a non-limiting example,the cutting edge 24 may be provided in an area proximate to, or in thevicinity of the free end 14 c. By way of a non-limiting example, thecutting edge 24 may be provided with a plurality of teeth 24 a thatfacilitate the cutting and/or tearing of conventional tape. Referringspecifically to FIG. 3, and by way of another non-limiting example, thecutting edge 24 may include an area defining a curvature or concavity 26formed thereon. By way of another non-limiting example, the concavity 26of the cutting edge 24 is preferably between 1 to 10% of the linealdimension of the cutting edge 24. Accordingly, the concave cutting edge24 may be maintained in an optimum position throughout all dispositionsof the depletion of the tape roll. Further, a curved or concave teetharrangement provides a localized stress-riser at the outermost portionof either side of the tape which effectively reduces the pull forcerequired by the user to cut the tape as compared to a straight teetharrangement.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-4 b, and in accordance with still anotheraspect of the present invention, the body 12 may include an areadefining an anvil 28 formed on a surface thereof. By way of anon-limiting example, the anvil 28 may be provided in an area proximateto, or in the vicinity of the free end 14 c, e.g., at or near an endthereof. By way of another non-limiting example, the anvil 28 ispreferably sufficiently spaced apart from the cutting edge 24 so as tonot to interfere with the cutting action of the cutting edge 24. By wayof another non-limiting example, the anvil 28 is positioned on a flange30 extending from the outer wall 14 (although it should be appreciatedthat the anvil 28 could have also been formed on the inner wall 16alternatively). The anvil 28 and a guide 14 e formed on the outer wall14 include an area defining an aperture 48 formed therebetween. Theintended purpose of the aperture 48 is to permit the free movement oftape from a tape roll therethrough.

Referring specifically to FIG. 2 a, there is illustrated an exemplaryposition of a free end 32 of a piece of tape 34 (e.g., extending from atape roll 36, e.g., that is positioned on the inner wall 16) such thatthe free end 32 is shown lying against the anvil 28 (shown in phantomfor purposes of illustration). Referring specifically to FIG. 2 b, theanvil 28 is shown as being shorter than the width of the free end 32 ofthe piece of tape 34 to facilitate access to an outer edge of the freeend 32 of the piece of tape 34. Additionally, the relative positions ofthe cutting edge 24 and the inner wall 16 are shown in relation to theanvil 28, all of which are preferably aligned for convenient extractionof the piece of tape 34 from the tape roll 36.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 1, 2 a, 4 a and 4 b, and in accordancewith a further aspect of the present invention, the body 12 may includean area defining a retainer 38 formed on a surface thereof. By way of anon-limiting example, the retainer 38 may be provided in an areaproximate to, or in the vicinity of the free end 14 c of the outer wall14, although it should be appreciated that the exact position of theretainer 38 (as well as the number of retainers) may be varied. By wayof another non-limiting example, the retainer 38 extends radially inwardand is intended to prevent the unintentional dislodgement of the taperoll 36 from the inner wall 16 by blocking relative lateral movement ofthe tape roll 36 away from the inner wall 16 once mounted thereon.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 1, 2 a, 4 a and 4 b, and in accordancewith yet another aspect of the present invention, the body 12 mayinclude an area defining a finger grip 40 formed on a surface thereof.By way of a non-limiting example, the inner wall 16 may be provided withthe finger grip 40. The exact configuration of the finger grip 40 mayvary; however, it may include at least one scalloped shaped fingerfeature 40 a in approximate relation to the fingers of a typical humanhand. By way of another non-limiting example, it is intended that theuser of the dispenser 10 places the fingers of their hand onto thefinger grip 40 when handling the dispenser 10.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 1, 2 a, 4 a and 4 b, and in accordancewith still a further aspect of the present invention, the body 12 mayinclude an area defining a thumb locator or rest 42 formed on a surfacethereof. By way of a non-limiting example, the outer wall 14 may beprovided with the thumb rest 42. The exact location of the thumb rest 42may vary; however, it may be in proximity to the free end 14 c of theouter wall 14, and preferably should be located on an outer surface 14 fof the outer wall. By way of another non-limiting example, it isintended that the user of the dispenser 10 places their thumb (asopposed to their fingers) of their hand onto the thumb rest 42 whenhandling the dispenser 10. However, it should be appreciated that usersof the dispenser 10 may vary the placement of their fingers and thumbrelative to both the finger grip 40 and the thumb rest 42. For example,users may wish to rest their thumb on the finger grip 40 and theirfingers on the thumb rest 42, and vice versa. In addition, the thumbrest 42 provides a location whereby an operator may apply an additionalinwardly biasing force.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 1, 4 a and 4 b, and in accordance withstill yet a further aspect of the present invention, the body 12 mayinclude an area defining a ribbed surface 44 formed on a surfacethereof. By way of a non-limiting example, the outer surface 14 f of theouter wall 14 may be provided with the ribbed surface 44. The exactlocation of the ribbed surface 44 may vary; however, it may extendsubstantially the entire circumference of the outer surface 14 f of theouter wall 14. It is believed that the ribbed surface 44 may enableusers to better grip the dispenser 10.

In practice, use of the dispenser 10 is fairly simple andstraightforward. To insert the tape roll 36 into the system, the outerwall 14 is pulled outwardly away from the inner wall 16. In this manner,the retainer 38 does not block lateral placement of the tape roll 36onto the inner wall 16.

To dispense the tape 34, the free end 32 of the tape 34 is pulledthrough the aperture 48 between the guide 14 e and the anvil 28. To cutthe tape 34, it is placed against the cutting edge 24 and cut, in theconventional manner, by the plurality of teeth 24 a. At this point, thefree end 32 of the tape can either remain unattached to any surface,including the anvil 28, or can be placed onto the anvil 28. In eitherscenario, the user can easily find the free end 32 of the tape 34without having to search and scrape the tape roll 36.

Because the dispenser 10 can be used to dispense long lengths of tape(e.g., blocking off surfaces and borders for painting purposes), thereis provided a brake system to stop the dispensing of the tape whendesired by the user. Referring to specifically to FIG. 4 a, there isshown a full tape roll 36 installed into the dispenser 10. The inwardlybiasing feature of the outer wall 14 automatically and positivelycontacts (without unduly impeding the movement/rotation of the tape roll36) the outer periphery of the tape roll 36 concurrently with the innerwall 16 contacting the inner diameter of the tape roll 36. By way of anon-limiting example, the outer wall 14 exerts a force (i.e., bias) onthe tape roll 36 preferably in the range between 0.5 lb/in to 3.0 lb/in.When it is desired, however, to prevent further movement/rotation of thetape roll 36 (e.g., when the user wants to stop tape roll 36 rotation),the user employs the braking system by pressing downwardly on the outerwall 14 (e.g., by the user pressing against the thumb rest 42, e.g.,while simultaneously gripping the finger grip 40), thus causing theunderside surface 14 d thereof to tightly contact the periphery of thetape roll 36 and causing the continued movement/rotation of the taperoll 36 to completely stop (or at least slow down depending on thepressure exerted by the user).

Referring specifically to FIG. 4 b, there is shown a substantiallydepleted tape roll 36 installed into the system 10. Again, the inwardlybiased outer wall 14 causes free end 14 c of the outer wall 14 topositively contact the outer periphery of the tape roll 36 even as thetape roll 36 is being depleted. The braking system described aboveoperates in the same manner regardless of the depletion level of thetape roll 36, i.e., the braking function should work normally even ifthe tape roll 36 is mostly depleted.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplaryembodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes can be made and equivalents can be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the inventionnot be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best modecontemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the inventionwill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tape dispenser comprising: a body, said bodyincluding an inner wall and an outer wall; said outer wall having a freeend, said free end movable between a first position and second positionlocated radially outward of said first position said free endapproximate an outer periphery of a tape roll in both said firstposition and said second position.
 2. The dispenser according to claim1, wherein the tape roll is selectively operable to engage the innerwall.
 3. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein an inner peripheryof the tape roll engages an outer periphery of the inner wall.
 4. Thedispenser according to claim 1, including a cutting edge formed on theouter wall.
 5. The dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the cuttingedge includes a concave cutting edge.
 6. The dispenser according toclaim 5, wherein the cutting edge includes a concavity in the range of 1to 10% of a lineal dimension of the cutting edge.
 7. The dispenseraccording to claim 1 further comprising a thumb rest formed on a surfaceof the outer wall.
 8. The dispenser according to claim 1 wherein saidouter wall includes an anvil.
 9. The dispenser according to claim 4wherein said outer wall includes an anvil, said anvil having a widthless than a width of the cutting edge.
 10. The dispenser according toclaim 1 wherein said outer wall includes a guide.
 11. The dispenseraccording to claim 1 including a finger grip formed on a surface of theinner wall.
 12. The dispenser according to claim 1 including a pluralityof ribs formed on the outer wall.
 13. The dispenser according to claim 1including a retainer formed on the outer wall.
 14. The dispenseraccording to claim 1 including a rear wall connecting at least a portionof the outer wall and the inner wall.
 15. The dispenser according toclaim 1 wherein said free end of said outer wall exerts a radiallyinward bias in the range of 0.5 lb/in to 3.0 lb/in.
 16. A tape dispensercomprising: a body, said body including an inner wall and an outer wall;said at least a portion of said outer wall spaced from said inner walland defining an opening for receiving a tape roll; said outer wallhaving a free end, said free end movable between a first position andsecond position located radially outward of said first position saidfree end approximate an outer periphery of said tape roll in both saidfirst position and said second position; said free end including acutting edge and an anvil, said anvil spaced from said cutting edge. 17.The dispenser according to claim 16 including a guide surface locatedbetween said inner wall and said cutting edge.
 18. The dispenseraccording to claim 16 wherein said cutting edge includes a concavecutting edge.
 19. The dispenser according to claim 16 wherein said freeend of said outer wall exerts a radially inward bias in the range of 0.5lb/in to 3.0 lb/in.
 20. A tape dispensing comprising: a body, whereinthe body includes an arcuate outer wall and a substantially cylindricalinner wall, said outer wall and said inner wall defining a cavity formedbetween the outer wall and the inner wall, the cavity is operable toreceive a tape roll therein such that an inner periphery of the taperoll is engages an outer periphery of the inner wall said; at least aportion of outer wall inwardly biased towards said inner wall such thatpart of said outer wall contacts an outer periphery of the tape roll asthe tape roll is depleted, wherein the bias is in the range of 0.5 lb/into 3.0 lb/in; a concave cutting edge formed on said outer wall, whereinthe cutting edge includes a concavity in the range of 1 to 10% of alineal dimension of the cutting edge; an anvil formed on a surface ofthe outer wall, wherein the anvil has a width less than a width of thecutting edge; a guide formed on the outer wall, wherein the anvil has awidth less than a width of the guide; and wherein the anvil is spacedapart from the cutting edge to keep a free end of a piece of tape fromcontacting the anvil after being cut by the cutting edge.